A Beautiful Duchess with a Dark Heart – Chapter 22

Chapter 22: I Owe You?

The next morning, when they went to pay their respects to their grandmother, the atmosphere in the house was much more intense.

Yuan Xi Jun had already handed over the accounts to her husband. Seeing her own complexion was truly poor, she deliberately dressed up a bit.

She wore a light blue, unpatterned mamian skirt, with only deep blue magnolia flowers embroidered on the mamian.

She discreetly applied some powder.

Her whole person appeared fresh and elegant.

Wen Huan, who was beside her, wore a slim-fitting, light purple shirt embroidered with small red plum blossoms, looking as playful and sweet as a young lady in seclusion. The slight arrogance she had on her face the past two days had been subtly restrained.

When the two entered, Wen Yu was standing by the door. Seeing them, she bowed and called out, “Madam.”

No matter how much hatred and embarrassment Yuan Xi Jun felt in her heart, her expression remained as gentle as ever: “Sister Yu!”

Wen Huan called out faintly, “Eldest Sister.” Neither close nor distant, neither smiling nor resentful.

Yuan Xi Jun secretly observed and felt satisfied. Her daughter was indeed clever. Having reached this point, showing a cold face or rushing to reconcile would be inferior. This matter still needed the adults to resolve.

“Grandmother!” Wen Huan arrived in front of the Old Madam and bowed sweetly.

Today, the Old Madam found her smile pleasing and said kindly, “Today, the Song family is coming. You sisters should all properly welcome the guests.”

“Grandmother, will Fifth Cousin Song and Cousin’s Wife come?” Jiao Jie’er had just entered the door and asked loudly when she heard.

The Old Madam’s eyes narrowed at once. “That stinky boy is the most unreliable! His letter said he would come either today or tomorrow! But your Fifth Cousin’s Wife should arrive first!”

“Cousin, will he be staying at Yuan Lu?” The Song family’s main residence was still dozens of miles away. “Yuan Lu” was the Song family’s local villa, with a peony garden that, when in bloom in the spring, was the most famous garden for hundreds of miles around.

“Yes! He’ll stay at Yuan Lu. Oh dear, that Fifth Cousin of yours is the most demanding! He knows people from all walks of life. Wherever he goes, a bunch of friends will come looking for him! Sigh! He’s so restless!”

Song Wu was the grandson of the Old Madam’s elder brother. Her eldest nephew had the best temperament, but he met with an accident and passed away early.

The Song family had a vast fortune, and the struggle for interests was fierce. It was common for them to resort to underhanded tactics. They called it an “accident,” but who knows what really happened.

His nephew’s wife was quite capable and managed to protect Song Shang.

Song Shang… was even better!

Young, intelligent, ruthless, he stepped on those so-called relatives and took control of the Song family, expanding its influence!

The key was: He was very close to her. Especially in recent years, the family had benefited a lot from him. Even that old geezer in the family often had to ask him for help!

Heh! It really made her feel proud!

Therefore, in this world, the Old Madam loved her eldest son the most, and then Song Shang. Even her own grandchildren couldn’t compare!

Wen Huan leaned against the Old Madam, echoing her words, while glancing at Wen Yu.

Wen Yu was wearing a very light beige dress today. The material and style were nothing special, what was special were the few embroidered patches sewn on the hem…

She only had simple silver hairpins in her hair. Although they looked quite delicate, the Old Madam’s jewelry was opulent, her mother’s elegant, and her second aunt dressed modestly but wore nothing ordinary. Her younger sisters were even more colorful, each with their own charm. Even the fourth sister, Wen Wan, born to a concubine, had exquisite jewelry.

Only Wen Yu!

…She did it on purpose! As if someone was mistreating her.

But why did she look so good?

Could it be the matching embroidered patches on the hem and sleeves? Why would anyone do that… Where did she get her clothes made? Wen Huan didn’t show it on her face, but her heart was churning.

Hmph, attracting attention with her unique style!

…

If Wen Yu knew what she was thinking, she would definitely cry out in injustice.

This dress was made by Yan Zhu. The flowers were also embroidered by her. However, the flower patterns and embroidery method were her own ideas, inspired by her experiences in her past life.

However, she only taught Yan Zhu, but she didn’t tell her to put it on her dress! She hadn’t taken Yan Zhu out these days, and it turned out she had been busy with these things in the house…

This morning, when she put it on, she discovered all these little details… She frowned for a long time, really not wanting to wear it! But seeing Yan Zhu’s happy expression, she had no choice but to wear it.

Unexpectedly, Cousin Hui came over. “Sister Yu, this dress is so beautiful! It’s better than anything you usually wear. My goodness, you look like a little fairy!”

Looking at Cousin Hui, Wen Yu was speechless. Do you have the same taste as Yan Zhu?

✿✿✿

“Cousin, are you saying the embroidered patches on this dress are beautiful?”

“Yes! How lively they are! So fresh! This is how young girls should dress! You, before… hehe… were a bit too flashy. And later, too plain. Both extremes! Today is just right, elegant with a touch of liveliness. Look at Eldest Aunt’s dress today, wouldn’t it be too monotonous without the embroidery on the mamian skirt?”

Cousin Hui, who was neither exceptionally beautiful nor talented, observed carefully and praised sincerely. In her memory, her aunt was the typical type to fawn over superiors and bully inferiors.

Cousin Hui’s personality, perhaps inherited from the Yuan family, was quite good!

Wen Wan also saw Wen Yu’s dress and came over, frowning slightly as she looked at it carefully: “Eldest Sister, where did you get the embroidered patches on your dress? The shops where our family orders clothes don’t have anything like this!”

“Yan Zhu sewed them.” Wen Yu said indifferently.

Wen Wan didn’t seem to hear what she was saying at all. “When did she make it? How come I didn’t know you had this dress? Who sewed the flowers for you? Hong Dou? Eldest Sister, you really hid your treasures secretly!”

She asked a series of questions, and in a very unhappy tone.

Wen Yu thought about how she had done so much needlework for Wen Wan, made so many things for her, and received no gratitude, only complaints… And now she was still acting like this!

“Impudent! Is this how you talk to your legitimate eldest sister?” Wen Yu questioned.

Wen Wan was stunned. “What? What did you say?”

“Later, I’ll have to ask Second Aunt how you learned your manners!”

Wen Yu said righteously: “For so many years, out of love for my sister, I’ve done so much work for you. Who designed the butterfly buttons on your dress, who made them and sewed them on for you? I didn’t see you appreciate it, instead, you complained a lot. Could it be that I owe you?”

“You…” Wen Wan never expected that her usually easy-to-bully eldest sister could be so fierce one day.

“If you’re not convinced, let’s go to Grandmother right now and argue about it!”

Yuan Xi Jun was talking with the Old Madam, and Wen Huan had already pricked up her ears and glanced over with narrowed eyes.

Cousin Hui quickly said, “Oh dear, Grandmother is in a good mood today. Let’s not spoil her mood. Fourth Cousin, your tone just now was indeed a bit harsh…”

Wen Wan couldn’t save face. “Hmph! What’s so great about it! You were willing to do it! As if I care? I have plenty of clothes, I’ll change right now!” She flung her sleeve and walked away angrily.

Cousin Hui shook her head as she looked at Wen Wan’s retreating figure. “Don’t be angry. In the past, you spoiled them too much.”

“Yes! I’m too easy to talk to, so they don’t know their place!” Wen Yu agreed.

“Don’t be angry! You’re doing great today.” Cousin Hui said.

“Cousin Hui, am I stupid?!” Wen Yu asked sadly.

“You’re not stupid, you’re too kind. You have to know, not everyone in this world deserves your kindness!”

“Cousin, how come you’re so open-minded? I remember Aunt…” Wen Yu hesitated. Her eldest aunt, born to a concubine, was someone who fawned over superiors and bullied inferiors, not a good person.

“Hehe!” Cousin Hui blushed. “My siblings and I were all raised by Grandmother. My grandmother, although illiterate, is a wise old lady.”

“So that’s how it is! You’re so lucky! That’s why your brother’s studies are better than my eldest brother’s!”

“Hehe… Hopefully, my brother can pass the Xiucai exam next year.”

“He can!” And he did pass the Juren exam as well.

It was just that his aunt arranged a disastrous marriage for him, ruining his future.

Cousin Hui listened, her eyes smiling.